Even Gunnery Sergeant Hartman from Full Metal Jacket would’ve enjoyed watching Paul Pierce tonight. Like he said to Private Joker, “He’s got guts. And guts is enough.”
Discovering that movie at 15 was probably a bad thing, especially for my little brothers, who like me, quoted every single inappropriate line incessantly.
Anyway, about Pierce’s gutsy performance. Cliche, sure. But the man helped saved Boston. (Full disclosure, he also almost doomed them with that missed free throw late.) He scored 39 points — including nine in OT — efficiently (13 of 26) and went 10 of 11 at the free throw line. He also added nine rebounds, four assists and a +10 rating in the 115-109 win over Toronto.
The C’s aren’t playing well defensively (they gave up 100-plus points at home for the first time since Dec. 21, a 124-105 beat down of the Knicks). Center Kendrick Perkins’ shoulder sidelined him again. He’s supposed to be out at least another week. No fun.
It’s nice to have Pierce around to save your butt though.
For college hoop — and Larry Bird — fans out there, check out my short column on the 30th anniversary of the ’79 NCAA title game. And thanks to Seth Davis, whose book, When March Went Mad, hits stores March 3.
